Amazon Launches International Hit, "Bookaboo" on Prime Video in U.S.

Amazon Launches Original Kids Series Bookaboo on October 28 on Prime Video in the US and UK

New preschool show, featuring special guests Paula Abdul, Selma Blair, Guillermo Diaz, Michael Sheen, Adam Copeland, Rachelle Lefevre, Molly Parker, Hannah Simone, and Emily Van Camp combines puppetry, live action and CGI animation to help families find their reading rhythm

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--(NASDAQ: AMZN)—Amazon announced its brand-new Amazon Original Kids Series, Bookaboo, is set to premiere October 28, 2016 on Prime Video in the US and UK. Already a full-fledged international hit, the series for preschool-aged children celebrates the fun and benefits of adults and children reading together. Bookaboo inventively combines puppetry, live action and CGI animation, and every episode features a different celebrity guest, who goes “backstage” to share their favorite picture book with Bookaboo, the adorable world-famous drummer puppy and star of the show who needs to be read a book a day or he just can’t play.

Among the series special guests are Paula Abdul (American Idol), Rachelle Lefevre (Twilight), Molly Parker (House of Cards), Hannah Simone (New Girl), Emily Van Camp (Captain America: The Winter Soldier), Selma Blair (Legally Blonde), Michael Sheen (The Queen), Guillermo Diaz (Scandal), WWE Wrestler Adam Copeland, NASA Astronaut Commander Chris Hadfield, and NFL player Antonio Brown of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Bookaboo, the latest addition to Amazon’s award-winning preschool programming slate, is created by Lucy Goodman, Founder of Happy Films, and produced by Happy Films and Sinking Ship Entertainment (Odd Squad, Annedroids).

    “Each episode incorporates funny storytelling and great books, specifically chosen to capture young viewers’ attention and imagination.”

Bookaboo will debut on October 28 exclusively for Prime members via the Amazon Video app for TVs; connected devices, including Fire TV, mobile devices; and online—Prime members can also download the series to mobile devices for offline viewing.

“Bookaboo is an exciting show developed to promote literacy by inspiring parents to read to and with their children and help instill a lifelong love of reading,” said Tara Sorensen, Head of Kids Programming at Amazon Studios. “Each episode incorporates funny storytelling and great books, specifically chosen to capture young viewers’ attention and imagination.”

“We’re thrilled to be working with Amazon Prime Video to bring Bookaboo and its important message to families all across the country,” said Goodman. “With only half as many parents reading to their kids as there were a generation ago, the time to make a difference is now. Every child should have the opportunity to share great books with someone they love.”

The rocking series follows Bookaboo as he tours the globe with his bandmates Paws and Growler, playing drums to packed stadiums of adoring fans. There’s only one hitch – Bookaboo just can't play without a story a day! The precocious pup finds creative ways to avoid performing, leading to laugh-out-loud comedy sketches and silly songs. To empower Bookaboo to return to the stage, a famous face appears in each episode to share a favorite story. The picture book that the celebrity guest brings in the special “bookabag” is brought to vibrant life through animation and an interactive, energetic reading that restores Bookaboo’s “bojo.”

The entire first season of Bookaboo will be available for Prime members to stream and enjoy using the Amazon Video app for TVs; connected devices, including Amazon Fire TV and mobile devices, or online at Amazon.com/originals, at no additional cost to their membership. Customers who are not already a Prime member can sign up for a free trial at www.amazon.com/prime. For a list of all Amazon Video compatible devices, visit www.amazon.com/howtostream. Bookaboo will also be available as part of Amazon FreeTime Unlimited, the all-you-can-eat subscription service designed from the ground up for kids. FreeTime Unlimited is available exclusively on Amazon devices, including Amazon Fire TV and Fire tablets, and a year-long subscription is included with every Fire Kids Edition.


About Amazon Video
Amazon Video is a premium on-demand entertainment service that offers customers the greatest choice in what to watch, and how to watch it. Amazon Video is the only service that provides all of the following:

•     Prime Video: Thousands of movies and TV episodes, including popular licensed content plus critically-acclaimed and award-winning Amazon Original Series and Movies from Amazon Studios like Transparent, The Man in the High Castle, Chi-Raq and kids series Tumble Leaf, available for unlimited streaming as part of an Amazon Prime membership
•     Add-on Subscriptions: Dozens of subscriptions to networks like SHOWTIME, STARZ and more, available to Amazon Prime members as add-ons to their membership
•     Rent or Own: Hundreds of thousands of titles, including new-release movies and current TV shows available for on-demand rental or purchase for all Amazon customers
•     Instant Access: Instantly watch anytime, anywhere through the Amazon Video app on TVs, mobile devices, Amazon Fire TV, Fire TV Stick, and Fire tablets, or online. For a list of all compatible devices, visit www.amazon.com/howtostream
•     Premium Features: Top features like 4K Ultra HD, High Dynamic Range (HDR) and mobile downloads for offline viewing of certain content

In addition to Prime Video, the Prime membership includes unlimited Free Two-Day Shipping on millions of items across all categories, more than one million songs and thousands of playlists and stations with Prime Music, early access to select Lightning Deals all year long, free secure, unlimited photo storage in Amazon Cloud Drive with Prime Photos, one free pre-released book a month with Kindle First, and more. To sign up for Prime or to find out more, visit: www.amazon.com/prime.

About Amazon
Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, and Alexa are some of the products and services pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit www.amazon.com/about.

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Image Comics Announces "Surgeon X #1" Going Back to Press

SURGEON X IS A CUT ABOVE THE REST

The new series launches to critical-acclaim and is sent back to print

Image Comics is pleased to announce that the highly anticipated new series by Sara Kenney, John Watkiss, and edited by industry legend Karen Berger, SURGEON X, launched to overwhelming critical acclaim and is being sent back to print in order to keep up with increasing customer demand.

SURGEON X explores a bleak future where a far-right British government, an antibiotic apocalypse, and a gruesome murder result in the birth of Surgeon X and her renegade practice. Extreme times call for extreme medicine.

Kenney, acclaimed documentary, factual drama, and animation filmmaker (Angels and Ghosts), master artist Watkiss (Sandman, Conan, Deadman) and Berger, award-winning and Vertigo-founding editor, have stitched together a unique, darkly comic medical thriller, which will horrify and delight in equal measure.

SURGEON X #1, 2nd printing (Diamond Code AUG168926) and SURGEON X #2 (Diamond Code AUG160672) will be available on Wednesday, October 26th, 2016. The final order cutoff for retailers is Monday, October 3rd, 2016.

Select praise for SURGEON X:

 “Horrifying.” —io9

“Surgeon X is everything you could want from a new creator-owned series, nuanced writing, incredible artwork and a premise that hooks you instantly and won't let you go. It's disturbing in the best way. Karen Berger has always been a visionary and with Surgeon X and it looks like she's found another genius in Sara Kenney!" —Jeff Lemire

“What do you get if you cross a far-right British government with an antibiotic apocalypse and a gruesome murder?” —BLASTR

“Taut, fast-paced and visceral, Surgeon X is a book whose time has come, one that looks ahead to a medical and environmental apocalypse that is all too plausible. With echoes of V for Vendetta, Surgeon X is an intellectual thriller that delivers both action and brains.” —G. Willow Wilson

“Expect great things.”—WIRED

“A fantastic, gripping debut—and chillingly possible glimpse of a not too distant future. Read it before it's reality." —Brian Azzarello


ABOUT IMAGE COMICS
Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, Skybound and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, fantasy, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.

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Warner Bros. Announces Global Fan Event for "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them"

A RETURN TO J.K. ROWLING’S WIZARDING WORLD The Global Fan Event Celebrating the New Film “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”

Fans Will Be Treated to a Special Preview of New Footage from the Film in IMAX, and Can Be Part of a Live Interactive Q & A with the Stars and Director

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As the excitement builds for the November 18th, 2016 opening of Warner Bros. Pictures’ new adventure “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” fans will get to experience some of the film’s magic early at the global celebration A RETURN TO J.K. ROWLING’S WIZARDING WORLD. The worldwide fan event will kick off on Thursday, October 13th, 2016, at 8:30 p.m. GMT (3:30 p.m. EDT, 12:30 p.m. PDT) and simultaneously in major cities in the U.S. and internationally. The announcement comes on the heels of this morning’s debut of the brand new trailer for the film.

Sue Kroll, Warner Bros. Pictures’ President of Worldwide Marketing and Distribution, stated, “The enthusiasm and support of wizarding world fans everywhere has meant so much to us, as well as the filmmakers. We are proud to share some exciting footage from ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’ at this global event created just for them, and are especially thrilled that most can experience it in IMAX.”

Attendees will first be treated to a never-before-seen reel featuring some of the thrilling moments from the much-anticipated film. Talent from “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” will be joining the celebration, in person, at two IMAX theatres, in London and Los Angeles, to welcome the fans.

•     In London: Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Alison Sudol, Dan Fogler, and director David Yates will be on hand.
•     In Los Angeles: Colin Farrell and Jon Voight will be in attendance.

Fans gathered at those locations, as well as attendees watching from IMAX theatres in New York, Sao Paulo and Mexico City, as well as a non-IMAX theatre in Rome, will be able to submit questions to the stars and director during the Q&A. It will be a rare opportunity to learn more about the story and their thrilling foray into a new era of the wizarding world.

The footage shown, as well as the Q&A, will also be streamed live online at www.facebook.com/fantasticbeastsmovie so eager fans around the world can share in the excitement.

Fans at each location will be presented with a specially designed “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” exclusive t-shirt, commemorating the worldwide event, as well as a collectible mini-poster.

As an added bonus, audiences in the U.S. theatres can stay for a special screening of “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” being presented for the first time ever in IMAX.

Additional details about locations, times, and tickets to the events can be found at:

http://www.wbtickets.com/fantasticbeastsWB
Facebook: www.facebook.com/fantasticbeastsmovie
Twitter: @FantasticBeasts
Instagram: @fantasticbeastsmovie
Snapchat: Wizarding_World
#FantasticBeasts
#IWantToBeAWizard

“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” is an all-new adventure returning us to the wizarding world created by J.K. Rowling.

Academy Award winner Eddie Redmayne (“The Theory of Everything”) stars in the central role of wizarding world Magizoologist Newt Scamander, under the direction of David Yates, who helmed the last four “Harry Potter” blockbusters.

“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” opens in 1926 as Newt Scamander has just completed a global excursion to find and document an extraordinary array of magical creatures. Arriving in New York for a brief stopover, he might have come and gone without incident…were it not for a No-Maj (American for Muggle) named Jacob, a misplaced magical case, and the escape of some of Newt’s fantastic beasts, which could spell trouble for both the wizarding and No-Maj worlds.

“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” also stars Katherine Waterston (“Steve Jobs,” “Inherent Vice”) as Tina; Tony Award winner Dan Fogler (“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”) as Jacob; Alison Sudol (“Dig,” “Transparent”) as Tina’s sister, Queenie; Ezra Miller (“Trainwreck”) as Credence; two-time Oscar nominee Samantha Morton (“In America,” “Sweet and Lowdown”) as Mary Lou; Oscar winner Jon Voight (“Coming Home,” TV’s “Ray Donovan”) as Henry Shaw, Sr.; Ron Perlman (the “Hellboy” films) as Gnarlak; Carmen Ejogo (“Selma”) as Seraphina Picquery; Jenn Murray (“Brooklyn”) as Chastity; young newcomer Faith Wood-Blagrove as Modesty; and Colin Farrell (“True Detective”) as Percival Graves.

The film marks the screenwriting debut of J.K. Rowling, whose beloved Harry Potter books were adapted into the top-grossing film franchise of all time. Her script was inspired by the Hogwarts textbook Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, written by her character Newt Scamander.

The film reunited a number of people from the “Harry Potter” features, including producers David Heyman, J.K. Rowling, Steve Kloves and Lionel Wigram. The executive producers are Tim Lewis, Neil Blair and Rick Senat.

Warner Bros. Pictures presents a Heyday Films Production, a David Yates Film, “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.” The film will open worldwide on November 18, 2016, in 2D and 3D in select theatres and IMAX and will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

This film has been rated PG-13 for some fantasy action violence.

fantasticbeasts.com

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Starz App Launches on Xbox One with "Star Wars: The Force Awakens"

STARZ App Launches on Xbox One – Hit STARZ Original Series and First-Run Movies Including “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” Available Now

STARZ Original Series “Blunt Talk” and “Ash vs Evil Dead” Return with Season Two Premieres on October 2, 2016

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Starz announced today that the STARZ app launched on the Xbox One® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft.

The STARZ app on Xbox One is a single destination for all subscribers who want to stream STARZ premium content. Its intuitive content discovery design and navigation offers ease of use and a compelling user experience, regardless of how the consumer purchased a subscription to STARZ. Subscribers to the STARZ sister networks, STARZ ENCORE and MOVIEPLEX, will also use this single destination app for access to stream. STARZ subscribers* may now download the app for free through the Xbox Live® service on their Xbox One and watch exclusive STARZ Original series including the upcoming season two premieres of “Blunt Talk” and “Ash vs Evil Dead” on Sunday, October 2; as well as hundreds of movies and first-run films.


About the STARZ App
STARZ subscriptions can be purchased direct through the App Store, Google Play or Roku for $8.99 per month with a 7-day free trial for new subscribers. Other than a free Xbox Live membership to enjoy the app on Xbox One, no other subscription to any other service is required.

The STARZ app is offered on a variety of devices such as: Xbox One, Apple TV (4th gen and newer), iPhones and iPads running iOS 8.0 or higher, Roku®, Sony Android TV, as well as most Android phones, tablets and TV devices. For a complete list of supported devices, please visit www.starz.com/settings/faq.

STARZ subscribers also receive instant access to more than 3,200 selections available via the app each month, including STARZ hit series ranging from “Power,” “Outlander” and the upcoming “American Gods,” when it premieres in 2017; to Hollywood hits and popular movies including Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

STARZ subscribers from participating cable, satellite and telco partners can also authenticate and view STARZ content in the app including every episode of every season of the best of STARZ’s original programming, as well as the biggest, most extensive movie library of all the premium subscription networks in the U.S.**

STARZ Originals in 2016 include “Outlander,” “Power,” “Black Sails,” “The Girlfriend Experience,” “Survivor’s Remorse,” “Blunt Talk,” and “Ash vs Evil Dead,” and the first STARZ Original movie, The Dresser. Exclusive hit movies on STARZ in 2016 include: Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Inside Out, Pixels, Concussion, The Good Dinosaur, Ricki and the Flash, Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2, Cinderella, Tomorrowland, The Wedding Ringer and Ant-Man. Popular movie and television programming on the new STARZ ENCORE includes: Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, Signs, Never Been Kissed, Dances With Wolves, Sweet Home Alabama, There’s Something About Mary, Spider-Man 3, Out of Sight, Total Recall, Steel Magnolias, “Magnum, P.I.,” “Diff’rent Strokes,” “The Jeffersons,” and “Gunsmoke.”

About Starz
Starz (NASDAQ: STRZA, STRZB) is a leading integrated global media and entertainment company with operating units that provide premium subscription video programming on domestic U.S. pay television networks (Starz Networks) and global content distribution (Starz Distribution), www.starz.com. The Starz Networks operating unit is home to the flagship STARZ® brand with 24.2 million subscribers in the United States as of June 30, 2016, with the STARZ ENCORESM network at 31.8 million subscribers. Through STARZ, the company provides high quality, entertaining premium subscription video programming with 17 premium pay TV channels and associated on-demand and online services. STARZ is sold through U.S. multichannel video distributors, including cable operators, satellite television providers, telecommunications companies, and other online and digital platforms. Starz offers subscribers more than 5,000 distinct premium television episodes and feature films every year and up to 1,500 every month, including STARZ Original series, first-run movies and other popular movie and television programming. The Starz Distribution operating unit is home to the Anchor Bay Entertainment, Starz Digital, and Starz Worldwide Distribution divisions. In addition to STARZ Original series, Starz Distribution develops, produces and acquires movies, television and other entertainment content for worldwide home video, digital, and television licensing and sales.

* Comcast/Xfinity does not allow subscribers to log into the STARZ app at this time.
**source: Starz internal analysis of distinct movie title data for the period 7/1/2015- 6/30/2016.

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Mangaka Yusei Matsui Returns to New York Comic Con for 2016

VIZ MEDIA WELCOMES ASSASSINATION CLASSROOM MANGA CREATOR YUSEI MATSUI AT NEW YORK COMIC CON 2016

Creator Of Bestselling Action Comedy Manga Series Makes His First-Ever North American Appearance

San Francisco, CA – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), a premier company in the fields of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing, announces a series of very special personal appearances by ASSASSINATION CLASSROOM manga series creator Yusei Matsui at New York Comic Con 2016.

VIZ Media is the official English publisher of ASSASSINATION CLASSROOM and partners with ReedPOP, the world's leading producer of pop culture events including New York Comic Con, the Japan Society, a nonprofit cross-cultural institution in New York, and the Japan Foundation to welcome the famed creator of the bestselling high school alien-teacher in the classroom action comedy series.

New York Comic Con takes place October 6th – 9th at the Javits Convention Center in Manhattan and is the East Coast's biggest pop culture convention. The annual event plays host to the latest and greatest in comics, graphic novels, anime, manga, video games, toys, movies, and television. More information on New York Comic Con is available at: http://www.newyorkcomiccon.com.

VIZ Media will be located in Booth #2036 and will offer a selection of ASSASSINATION CLASSROOM manga for purchase throughout the convention including:

·         ASSASSINATION CLASSROOM Vol. 13: Available for purchase TWO months before its official December release date - $10

·         ASSASSINATION CLASSROOM Vols. 1 & 2 special bundle price - $15

·         Purchase of either ASSASSINATION CLASSROOM items will also come with a free exclusive collectable button, while supplies last.

One of the most popular and bestselling manga series in the United States, ASSASSINATION CLASSROOM is a humorous and action-packed story about a class of misfits who are trying to kill their new teacher – an alien octopus with bizarre powers and super strength. The teacher has just destroyed the moon and is threatening to destroy the earth – unless his students can destroy him first. Making matters even more complicated, he turns out to be the best teacher they have ever had! The series is a consistent New York Times bestseller, with each volume released appearing on the list during the first few weeks of publication. ASSASSINATION CLASSROOM has also been adapted into an anime series that airs in Japan and North America, as well as two live-action films. For those new to the series, chapters of Assassination Classroom will be available to read for free at viz.com/shonenjump.

Yusei Matsui New York Comic Con 2016 Appearances:

VIZ Media Presents: An Evening with Yusei Matsui
Friday, October 7th, 5:15PM – 6:15PM  
Room 1A06

Yusei Matsui, creator of the beloved ASSASSINATION CLASSROOM manga, is making his first North American appearance at NYCC, and will discuss his career and creative process behind his global hit! The journey from pen to panel and from manga to anime is no easy task. This special presentation by VIZ Media and FUNimation will explore the ins and outs to bringing the story of a pathetic class of misfits and their bizarre tentacled teacher to life! Fans attending this session will receive a special ASSASSINATION CLASSROOM collectible premium.

Official WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP Panel Featuring Yusei Matsui
Saturday, October 8th, 1:45PM – 2:45PM  
Room 1A10

Hang out with the English language editors of the world's most popular manga! We've got exciting news about the latest developments on new series, all-time fan favorites, and what we're doing to bring you the world's best manga! Yusei Matsui, creator of the global sensation ASSASSINATION CLASSROOM, will be making a special appearance. Fans attending this session will receive a special ASSASSINATION CLASSROOM collectible premium, The WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP staff also will have other amazing prizes up for grabs. Don't miss it!

Yusei Matui Off-Site NYCC Presents Signing Sessions:

Yusei Matsui at Kinokuniya Book Store
Friday, October 7th, 8:30pm
1073 Avenue of the Americas, NY, NY 10018

Kinokuniya Bookstore New York partners with VIZ Media and New York Comic Con to welcome ASSASSINATION CLASSROOM author and artist Yusei Matsui for a special appearance at Kinokuniya Bookstore during New York Comic Con on October 7th. Special after-hours admission will be given to wristband holders. Customers must buy a volume from the ASSASSINATION CLASSROOM series on the day of the event to get a wristband that allows entry to the signing that evening (store opens at 10 am).

Yusei Matsui at Barnes & Noble Tribeca Book Store
Saturday, October 8th, 7:00pm
97 Warren St., NY, NY 10007

Please join VIZ Media as it welcomes Yusei Matsui for a special signing for ASSASSINATION CLASSROOM as part of NYCC Presents! This event will be limited to 100 customers only. Interested fans must purchase a volume of ASSASSINATION CLASSROOM at Barnes & Noble Tribeca location on the day of the event to attend. A wristband will be given upon purchase which will guarantee entry to the event. Only one book and one shikishi per person will be signed and personalized.

Yusei Matsui was born in Saitama Prefecture, Japan and has been drawing manga since he began elementary school. His favorite manga series include Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, and Ultimate Muscle. Matsui honed his skills while working as an assistant to manga artist Yoshio Sawai, creator of Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo. In 2005, Matsui debuted his first original manga, Neuro: Supernatural Detective, in Weekly Shonen Jump. In 2007, Neuro was adapted into an anime series. In 2012, ASSASSINATION CLASSROOM began serialization in Weekly Shonen Jump. ASSASSINATION CLASSROOM is published in North America by VIZ Media.

For more information on ASSASSINATION CLASSROOM or other award-winning manga titles published by VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com.


About VIZ Media, LLC
Established in 1986, VIZ Media is the premier company in the field of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing. Along with its popular digital magazine WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, DRAGON BALL, SAILOR MOON, and POKÉMON, VIZ Media offers an extensive library of titles and original content in a wide variety of book and video formats, as well as through official licensed merchandise. Owned by three of Japan's largest publishing and entertainment companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media is dedicated to bringing the best titles for English-speaking audiences worldwide.

Learn more about VIZ Media and its properties at www.VIZ.com.

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Bluefin to Unleash Super Saiyan Vegeta "Dragon Ball Z" at 2016 New York Comic Con

Visit Bluefin at 2016 New York Comic Con Booth #1612

BLUEFIN BRINGS AN IMPRESSIVE ARRAY OF EXCLUSIVE COLLECTIBLES FROM BANDAI AND TAMASHII NATIONS TO 2016 NEW YORK COMIC CON

Catch The World Exclusive Reveal Of The Soul Of Chogokin Megazord Combined Form Robot, GunPla Builders World Cup, Special S.H.Figuarts Advance Release Figures And Limited Edition And Special Variant GunPla Model Kits

Anaheim, CA – Bluefin, the leading North American distributor of toys, collectibles, and hobby merchandise from Japan, Hong Kong and more, returns to the East Coast's biggest pop culture convention – New York Comic Con – with an exclusive array of new and soon-to-be-released products from Bandai Shokugan, Bandai Hobby and Tamashii Nations.

An impressive array of these unique collectibles will be available for exclusive on-site purchase during the 2016 New York Comic Con – in advance of their wider, general retail release. Additional select items will be available for exclusive pre-order. Bluefin’s Bandai Shokugan, Bandai Hobby and Tamashii Nations products will be located in Booth #1612.

The 2016 New York Comic Con takes place October 6th – 9th, 2016 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in Manhattan. The annual event plays host to the latest and greatest in comics, graphic novels, toys and collectibles, anime and manga, video games, movies, and television. Additional information on New York Comic Con is available at: http://www.newyorkcomiccon.com.

This year, Bluefin is pleased to open the show with a must-see display of Bandai’s Soul of Chogokin Power Rangers Megazord — depicted for the public for the first time ever in combined robot form. This latest release from the impressive Soul of Chogokin line is set for release in Spring 2017 and features combinable, high-end die-cast versions of the iconic Dinozords – Tyrannosaurus, Mastadon, Triceratops, Saber-toothed Tiger and Pteradactyl.

Also catch special ADVANCE RELEASE exclusives at Bluefin that include Tamashii Nations’ S.H. Figuarts releases of Naruto Shippuden’s Sasuke Uchiha (Itachi Battle), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ Raphael and Dragon Ball Z’s Super Saiyan Vegeta. These highly anticipated figures will be available at NYCC about a month ahead of their general North American retail release.

GunPla and modelling fans will be excited for exclusive 1/100 and 1/144 scale Gundam product from Bandai Hobby that include:

·         GUNDAM CONVERGE LIMITED GUNDAM MK 2 TWIN PACK; $30.00

·         RG WING GUNDAM ZERO EW PEARL GLOSS VERSION; $37.00

·         HG 1/144 G-EXPO GUNDAM BARBATOS COLOR CLEAR VERSION; $17.00

·         HG 1/144 PETIT'GUY MASS PRODUCTION TYPE; $8.00

·         MG 1/100 G-EXPO HI-NU GUNAM VERSION; KA MECHANICAL CLEAR + HWS COLOR CLEAR VERSION; $120.00

·         RG 1/144 G-EXPO OO-RAISER EXF VERSION; $37.00

·         HGUC 1/144 G3 GUNDAM $14.00

·         HG Full Armor Gundam Thunderbolt Theatrical Clear VERSION – Very Limited Quantities!! Available for sale only on Friday, October 7th  $37.00

·         HG Psycho Zaku Theatrical Limited Clear VERSION – Very Limited Quantities!! Available for sale only on Friday, October 7th  $37.00

The final regional qualifier for the 2016 GunPla Builders World Cup also will be held at NYCC with many amazing custom models on display from talented builders; Takes place October 6th–8th.

Don’t miss this very special trio of the latest Tamashii Nations S.H.Figuarts releases:

Sasuke Uchiha (Itachi Battle) "Naruto Shippuden”
Height: Approx. 6 inches · MSRP: $58.00

Next in the S.H.Figuarts Naruto series (with an all new sculpt and superior articulation) is Sasuke Uchiha represented with his Itachi Battle design. Sasuke comes with interchangeable face parts that are specially made to recreate the final climactic scene with his older brother, Itachi. The set also features interchangeable hand parts and facial expressions, weapon accessories, and chidori effect parts. Also be sure to check out the S.H.Figuarts Itachi Uchiha, sold separately.

Raphael “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”
Height: Approx. 6 inches · MSRP: $63.00

The first-ever S.H.Figuarts version of perennial fan favorite Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are being released featuring their original colors from the classic animated series! The “cool but rude” Raphael is the 3rd Turtle to join the series and comes complete with his classic weapon, two sais. The sais can be stored on Rafael’s belt which also comes with interchangeable parts. The set includes interchangeable hands and head, sai parts, optional weapons (kunai, shuriken), and additional interchangeable belt parts.

Super Saiyan Vegeta "Dragon Ball Z"
Height: Approx. 5.3 inches · MSRP: $58.00

“I am Super Vegeta!” S.H.Figuarts adds a new portrayal of the legendary Super Saiyan. Replicate key poses from the series while using optional facial accessory parts to capture his full range of expressions! Set includes parts letting one also re-create his traditional crossed-arms pose – a series first. Collectors can even display him alongside Super Saiyan Trunks (sold separately) for a father-son scene. Set includes the 5.3inch figure, three interchangeable facial expression accessories, multiple interchangeable hands, and one set of crossed arms.


About Bluefin:
Based in Anaheim, CA, Bluefin built its reputation as a leading distributor of Japanese toys, collectibles, novelty and hobby products. In recent years, Bluefin has grown to include a range of high quality collectible lines from the United States, Hong Kong and Taiwan and established itself as the official North American consumer products and retail development partner for Studio Ghibli. Selling to thousands of specialty, chain and independent stores, Bluefin is an official North American distributor for Bandai Hobby and Capcom, is the sole provider of Bandai Tamashii Nations products, and is also the exclusive and official distributor for Beast Kingdom, Mr. Hobby, SEN-TI-NEL and X-Plus. Bluefin also represents TruForce Collectibles products worldwide. Additional information is available at: www.bluefincorp.com.

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Bluefin to Offer Exclusive Products at 2016 New York Comic Con

Visit Bluefin at 2016 New York Comic Con Booth #1813

BLUEFIN TO OFFER AN EXCLUSIVE PRODUCT REVEAL OF THE ULTIMATE MUHAMMAD ALI ACTION FIGURE FROM STORM COLLECTIBLES AT 2016 NEW YORK COMIC CON

Anaheim, CA – Bluefin, the leading North American distributor of toys, collectibles, and hobby merchandise from Japan, Hong Kong and more, gives collectors and boxing fans a world exclusive first-look at the forthcoming new 1/6 scale Muhammad Ali action figure from Storm Collectibles at the 2016 New York Comic Con.

The 2016 New York Comic Con takes place October 6th – 9th, 2016 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in Manhattan and is the East Coast's biggest pop culture convention. The annual event plays host to the latest and greatest in comics, graphic novels, toy and collectibles, anime and manga, video games, movies, and television. Additional information on New York Comic Con is available at: http://www.newyorkcomiccon.com.

Bluefin will be located in Booth #1813. The unveiling of Muhammad Ali will take place at 10:30AM on Thursday, October 6th, 2016. (**Note: This is strictly a product unveiling; No product will not be offered sale)

The Storm Collectibles 1/6 scale Muhammad Ali action figure is officially licensed and stands 12.5 inches tall. The seamless action figure body is constructed of PVC and features a strikingly realistic facial design and is fully articulated to recreate the Champ’s ability to “float like a butterfly and sting like a bee.” Each set will come with a variety of additional interchangeable accessories to create endless posing possibilities. Worldwide release is scheduled for Q3 of 2017 and the estimated MSRP will be $240.00 USD. Bluefin will be the exclusive distributor of the 1/6 scale Muhammad Ali for North America.

Muhammad Ali was a legendary American Olympic and professional boxer and prominent social activist and humanitarian. Throughout his career Ali proved inspiring, controversial, and often polarizing and he is widely regarded as one of the most significant and important sports figures of the 20th century.

Born Cassius Clay in 1942, he first gained fame by winning a gold medal in boxing at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome. In 1964, at the age of 22, he won the WBA and WBC Heavyweight titles after beating Sonny Liston. During this time he also converted to Islam and changed his name to Muhammad Ali.

Ali is one of modern boxing’s leading heavyweights, willing the championship title in 1964, 1974, and 1978. Some of his greatest fights included the first Liston match, the so-called “Thrilla in Manila” against arch rival Joe Frazier, and the “Rumble in the Jungle” versus George Foreman.

Outside the ring, Muhammad Ali was a widely known activist and supported numerous social causes, beginning with his refusal to join the army to fight in Vietnam. He actively supported the anti-war movement in the 60s and went on to join many other global campaigns for peace and humanitarian aid. Ali’s work as a humanitarian has been immortalized in the Muhammad Ali Centre, which opened in his Kentucky hometown of Louisville in 2005 and exists as a non-profit cultural institution and international organization. Muhammad Ali passed away in June 2016 but his legend continued and is adored by millions of fans around the world.


About Storm Collectibles:
Storm Collectibles, a Hong Kong based company, was established in 2007 as a one-stop-source for action figures – designing, producing and distributing high quality, collectible 1/12th, 1/6th and 1/4th scale action figures and statues. The company has a great passion for collectibles and its vision is focused on creating authentic, fully realized likenesses for each collectible figure. Storm Collectible's official licensing partners include Warner Bros., Capcom USA / Japan, Bruce Lee Enterprise, Mike Tyson, and Hulk Hogan. Additional information is available at: www.stormco.com.hk

About Bluefin
Based in Anaheim, CA, Bluefin built its reputation as a leading distributor of Japanese toys, collectibles, novelty and hobby products. In recent years, Bluefin has grown to include a range of high quality collectible lines from the United States, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore and established itself as the official North American consumer products and retail development partner for Studio Ghibli. Selling to thousands of specialty, chain and independent stores, Bluefin is an official North American distributor for Bandai Hobby, Kotobukiya, Capcom, Blitzway and Iron Studios, is the sole provider of Bandai Tamashii Nations products, and is also the exclusive and official distributor for Hero Cross, Mr. Hobby, SEN-TI-NEL and X-Plus. Bluefin also represents TruForce Collectibles products worldwide. Additional information is available at: www.bluefincorp.com.

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